Tips To Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

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Wednesday September 27th 2017

As a florist, I understand why people want their bouquets and
arrangements of cut flowers to last as long as possible. For one, they
are a beautiful addition to a home. Also, a gift of flowers is
meaningful, especially if they're given to someone in celebration of a
wedding anniversary, a birth, a graduation, or another important
occasion. Plus, when you order a lovely bouquet, you want to get the
most enjoyment from your purchase. This week, I've come up with some
simple things you can do to keep your cut flowers looking fresh and
colorful.

10 Tips to Help Your Cut Flowers Last Longer

Just Add Sugar. A half-teaspoon of sugar gives your cut
flowers nutrients to help maintain their appearance. If you don't have
any table sugar, pour in a half-cup of clear soda.

Bring in the Hairspray. Give your flowers a spritz of
hairspray to keep their colors bright and vibrant. It's best to spritz
them on the undersides of the petals as well as the leaves.

Drop a Penny. Drop a penny in the vase before putting your
flowers in water. The copper is acidic, which serves as an antibacterial
agent for your flowers.

Keep the Leaves Out of the Water. Be careful when putting
your flowers in a vase. If some of the leaves end up in the water, they
will rot, causing the flowers to decay more quickly. Also, fish out any
leaves that fall off of the stems into the water.

Clean Your Vase. It's tempting to grab a vase out of the
cabinet, fill it with water, and put a flower bouquet in it right away.
But take a few minutes to wash the vase with bleach and water. This
removes dirt and kills any lingering bacteria from previous bouquets.

Use the Packet That Comes With Your Flowers. Don't throw
away the packet of food that accompanies your bouquet. These packets
contain food with an appropriate mixture of nutrients. Instead, sprinkle
a small amount of the food in the water every few days to nourish your
blooms.

Grab the Apple Cider Vinegar. I use apple cider vinegar to
clean my floors and dust my furniture. I even drink a little of it from
time to time for my health. Now, I've discovered I can use it to keep my
cut flowers looking their best! Mix two tablespoons of water with two
tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and dump the mixture into your
water-filled vase. Who knew?

Morning or Evening Cutting Is Best. You probably already
know to cut the stems of your flowers at a slant before putting them in
the water. If you can, cut the stems of your flowers either in the
morning or in the evening. At these times, the weather is cool and the
buds of your flowers are starting to open or close.

Keep the Fruit Away. Did you know that a bowl of fruit emits ethylene?
This is a hormone that causes flowers to age! So keep your fruit away
from your cut flowers so they won't start wilting before their time.